Pineapples, bananas and coconuts, were the only fruits imported during the outgoing year (to end March 20), Mohamamd-Reza Naderi, the deputy for customs affairs in the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration (IRICA) told IRNA on Sunday. Negotiations with the ministry of agricultural jihad on import of fruits in the upcoming year are currently underway, Naderi said. According to data provided by IRICA, 416,800 metric tons of banana worth $370.5 million were imported in the eleven months of the current year (ends March 21). When it comes to fruit and vegetables, Iran is self-sufficient. However tropical fruits are mostly imported from neighboring countries such as Pakistan, Lebanon and Egypt and as far away as the Philippines, Ecuador and Chile.
